I surveyed the interior of the bus and inhaled the breath of humanity all around me. Elderly women crammed uncomfortably three or four where we would normally sit two. Kids packed on plastic chairs in the middle of the aisle. Above me I could hear the metal bend under the pressure of at least ten more kids who rode atop our Burmese caravan. Against my chest lay a young orphan boy we call Sawyer, fast asleep, never knowing of the opportunities that passed him by the moment he was born in this land. Altogether there must have been eighty souls trapped on this heavenly ride all breathing the same air of humanity.
This was one of the greatest moments of my life. To my right sat the guardian sage of the entire city who orchestrated this day and who I am called to bless. He is a Mon born Pastor named Maung Ko Ko. We call him Ako. Further to my right sat a lifelong friend named Kevin who will never know how much I love him, how much he means to me, and how much I believe in him. All around me were lives of children, women, and men who have been forever changed by the touch of an invisible God who made himself flesh to our humanity.
For some strange reason we are allowed to play a part in helping Ako love and shepherd his people. The years leading to this trip left me with dozens of unresolved emotions and broken callings. I was unsure if we were suppose to know Ako and all the people on that Bus. I questioned if we were doing the right thing, following Gods call, and being wise. The questioning of our purpose left me heavy and depressed. We were out of sync. On this day at that moment all of those apprehensions were squelched under the burdensome weight of pure joy. It had been months since I experienced joy. Joy comes from being made aware and thus humbled by presence of God himself. At that moment I knew where to give my life. I knew why I was born.
Our dream is to remain connected to these lives and be a gift to their ministry. I long to see these children for years and years, to see them grow and change and become who they were created to be. I smile thinking about the possibility of sending these kids to college, to give them the opportunity of education. The possibilities are endless and I can't wait to see how the next few years of our friendship with the people on that bus turn out. We will be there for them as much as we can. Some how in all of this I feel like this is what it means to crawl up into my Fathers arms and trust in His provision, grace, goodness, and love just like as young Sawyer did with me when he slept silently my arms. This is the pay off I will endure any hardship, trail, or disaster for. Oh God let me not forget that moment.
